New TMNT B. Stockman (political correctness gone too far?).

[Ubiqtysync]

In lieu of casting Michael Clarke Duncan as Wilson Fisk/the Kingpin in 2003's Daredevil and Billy Dee Williams as Harvey Dent in 1989's Batman, as well as the namesake of this topic the new cartoon series' black Baxter Stockman, I believe the industry and this country in general is going too far with political correctness.

I do believe there's truth in the idea that it shouldn't matter if a man of differently colored skin portrays a particular character, but in an America in which the Hispanic population greatly outnumbers the Anglo-Saxon margin of only a few years past and now the evidential compromise of adopting an unofficial "second language" of Spanish all throughout this country (e.g., at amusement parks, ATM machines, etc.), we're also losing some very important principles. And no, I don't mean purely "white" principles.

I read a very interesting article titled "Beyond the Melting Pot" by William A. Henry III. If I may, I include an excerpt from page 55:
"In urging a revised syllabus, the task force argued, 'Children from European culture will have a less arrogant perspective of being part of a group that has 'done it all.'' Many intellectuals are outraged. Political scientist Andrew Hacker of Queens College lambastes a task-force suggestion that children be taught how 'Native Americans were here to welcome new settlers from Holland, Senegal, England, Indonesia, France, the Congo, Italy, China, Iberia.' Asks Hacker: 'Did the Indians really welcome all those groups? Were they at Ellis Island when the Italians started to arrive? This is not history but a myth intended to bolster the self-esteem of certain children and, just possibly, a platform for advocates of various ethnic interests" (Experiencing Race, Class, and Gender in the United States, Virginia Cyrus).

You don't read about how the Puerto Ricans raided the Alamo. Or how the Protestants strictly founded all prestigious educational institutions in America. Why? Because that's not history or the truth. Just because of who the majority is now doesn't ratify or condone the practice of "inserting" different, select groups of people into the past.

Therefore, my stand is that it's getting absurd with how political correctness dictates the stipulation that you MUST have a character of African ancestry or Hispanic heritage in a role, even if the role was specifically designed to accommodate a person of a certain type. It's not racism; it's a foundation of customs quickly fading away in our country. And it's all too realistically being reflected in film and TV.

I'm a big fan of Michael Clarke Duncan. I've not implied the concept of "white preservation" once. In fact, I'm with other people who think the KKK and White Supremacy groups are just a bunch of idiots. What I am saying, though, is that history needs not be rewritten JUST BECAUSE the latest legal regulation, the dernier cri, the status quo requirement, makes it quite clear that you will feature someone of this precise race or gender...or else.

One day--yes, how I eagerly await it, too--we will inevitably become just one mass of people. A collective of "colorblind" spectra of people from all walks of life, inosculated and regarded as one entity. But political correctness is not the only avenue. It's not even the most positive or effective.

I welcome and appreciate any input anyone else might contribute to this discussion. Thank you.

[Eye of Sarnath]

Do a little research, first, before starting topics like these. Baxter was black in the orginal Mirage comics. The cartoon is based upon these comics, in case you haven't noticed. The new one much more so than the old one.

Duncan was chosen for Daredevil merely because he was the best one for the role. He almost didn't get the role because movie execs weren't sold on the idea of changing the character's race. It had nothing to do with political correctness, belive me.

[Bry]

Dude, read the comics. Baxter was always black. Only in the 80s/90s cartoon did they turn him into a littl epasty white guy (god knows why).

Really, now.

[Shadow]

I think changing baxter to white (80/90's) was a bad choice. There was hardly ethnic divercity (until carter). The turtles live in NYC and let me tell you all in the slight event you have never been to New York...it is one of the most diverce places on the globe...It fits to have baxter black...I like the choice to bring him back to the way he should have always been.

peace and fun
Shadow J.

[R-iZZy]

I seriously have no problem with a black Baxter. As I said... I would've loved to see the cartoon go back to its edgier Mirage background. Baxter was always black, and I'm glad he's not a wuss this time. Do you think they'll make him a fly in this series?

[GK Punk]

Originally Posted by Ninja Turtle Nincompoop

I seriously have no problem with a black Baxter. As I said... I would've loved to see the cartoon go back to its edgier Mirage background. Baxter was always black, and I'm glad he's not a wuss this time. Do you think they'll make him a fly in this series?

I really hope they don't turn him in to a fly this time... it dosn't fit the original Mirage vision imo...

And actually, wasn't April black in the original Mirage books? I seem to remember her being black originally for some reason.

[GK Punk]

Originally Posted by Ubiqtysync

In lieu of casting Michael Clarke Duncan as Wilson Fisk/the Kingpin in 2003's Daredevil and Billy Dee Williams as Harvey Dent in 1989's Batman, as well as the namesake of this topic the new cartoon series' black Baxter Stockman, I believe the industry and this country in general is going too far with political correctness.

I do believe there's truth in the idea that it shouldn't matter if a man of differently colored skin portrays a particular character, but in an America in which the Hispanic population greatly outnumbers the Anglo-Saxon margin of only a few years past and now the evidential compromise of adopting an unofficial "second language" of Spanish all throughout this country (e.g., at amusement parks, ATM machines, etc.), we're also losing some very important principles. And no, I don't mean purely "white" principles.

I read a very interesting article titled "Beyond the Melting Pot" by William A. Henry III. If I may, I include an excerpt from page 55:
"In urging a revised syllabus, the task force argued, 'Children from European culture will have a less arrogant perspective of being part of a group that has 'done it all.'' Many intellectuals are outraged. Political scientist Andrew Hacker of Queens College lambastes a task-force suggestion that children be taught how 'Native Americans were here to welcome new settlers from Holland, Senegal, England, Indonesia, France, the Congo, Italy, China, Iberia.' Asks Hacker: 'Did the Indians really welcome all those groups? Were they at Ellis Island when the Italians started to arrive? This is not history but a myth intended to bolster the self-esteem of certain children and, just possibly, a platform for advocates of various ethnic interests" (Experiencing Race, Class, and Gender in the United States, Virginia Cyrus).

You don't read about how the Puerto Ricans raided the Alamo. Or how the Protestants strictly founded all prestigious educational institutions in America. Why? Because that's not history or the truth. Just because of who the majority is now doesn't ratify or condone the practice of "inserting" different, select groups of people into the past.

Therefore, my stand is that it's getting absurd with how political correctness dictates the stipulation that you MUST have a character of African ancestry or Hispanic heritage in a role, even if the role was specifically designed to accommodate a person of a certain type. It's not racism; it's a foundation of customs quickly fading away in our country. And it's all too realistically being reflected in film and TV.

I'm a big fan of Michael Clarke Duncan. I've not implied the concept of "white preservation" once. In fact, I'm with other people who think the KKK and White Supremacy groups are just a bunch of idiots. What I am saying, though, is that history needs not be rewritten JUST BECAUSE the latest legal regulation, the dernier cri, the status quo requirement, makes it quite clear that you will feature someone of this precise race or gender...or else.

One day--yes, how I eagerly await it, too--we will inevitably become just one mass of people. A collective of "colorblind" spectra of people from all walks of life, inosculated and regarded as one entity. But political correctness is not the only avenue. It's not even the most positive or effective.

I welcome and appreciate any input anyone else might contribute to this discussion. Thank you.

I have to say, you really did write a nice article here, however it was waisted... Stockman is black, and was suppoused to be from the begining. In the old cartoon they changed him to being white, for some odd reason.

[R-iZZy]

Originally Posted by grunger_kittie

I really hope they don't turn him in to a fly this time... it dosn't fit the original Mirage vision imo...

And actually, wasn't April black in the original Mirage books? I seem to remember her being black originally for some reason.

Nah... April wasn't black. She just had dark hair.

[GK Punk]

Originally Posted by Ninja Turtle Nincompoop

Nah... April wasn't black. She just had dark hair.

Ok, for some reason (I think it's the TMNT RPG Book) I remembered her being black... However, I can admit when I am wrong ^^

[R-iZZy]

Oh... admitting mistakes, you're so strong! Seriously, I can't admit my mistakes. Anyway, I always looked at April and peered into her, trying to figure out whether she was black or not. But you really have to look closely. Her hairstyle was what made the difference really, and her skin was never shaded in to exhibit any darkness in her skin tone.

[GK Punk]

Originally Posted by Ninja Turtle Nincompoop

Oh... admitting mistakes, you're so strong! Seriously, I can't admit my mistakes. Anyway, I always looked at April and peered into her, trying to figure out whether she was black or not. But you really have to look closely. Her hairstyle was what made the difference really, and her skin was never shaded in to exhibit any darkness in her skin tone.

Maybe that's what it was, her hair... I'll have to go dig out the old RPG just because of this converstation now it's been years scince I looked at it

[beaker]

Originally Posted by grunger_kittie

I really hope they don't turn him in to a fly this time... it dosn't fit the original Mirage vision imo...

And actually, wasn't April black in the original Mirage books? I seem to remember her being black originally for some reason.

indeed, April *was* black in some of the TMNT issues I have(err, at least some issues and RPG books), most notably some of the side stories in one of my TMNT TPB.

Baxter WAS ALWAYS a black guy.
Heck, the original Bebop(or was it Rocksteady?) was a black punk rocker, then somehow he got turned into a white guy.

While I have no interest in seeing that Ben Afleckathon, Michael Clark Duncan looks kickass as Kingpin.(tho I thought Kingpin was fatter) Sure a black Superman would be a bit odd, just as a white Blade would seem out of place.

[Karpo_007]

No I have ALL the issues, April is not Black! But I can understand why one could make that mistake. The hair and the fact it's in B/W can make her look like that. But I can't say anything for the RPG But I doubt she was black there either.

As for Baxter, everything has been said. And He won't turn into a fly, but... Read the spoilers yourself if you want.

[Jephael]

Originally Posted by Shadow

I think changing baxter to white (80/90's) was a bad choice. There was hardly ethnic divercity (until carter). The turtles live in NYC and let me tell you all in the slight event you have never been to New York...it is one of the most diverce places on the globe...It fits to have baxter black...I like the choice to bring him back to the way he should have always been.

I see your point there. BTW, the old show did change it's format in 1990 so that the show didn't neccesarily take place in New York. That was always my one and only gripe about the show. Other than that, I had no other complaints.

[Karpo_007]

Yeah it changed from New York to "City". I still can't understand the reason.

[Sparvid]

Originally Posted by beaker

Heck, the original Bebop(or was it Rocksteady?) was a black punk rocker, then somehow he got turned into a white guy.

When was that?

[Eye of Sarnath]

How about... never?

[Karpo_007]

Yeah, his color didn't change either. But his race did!

[GK Punk]

Originally Posted by Karpo_007

No I have ALL the issues, April is not Black! But I can understand why one could make that mistake. The hair and the fact it's in B/W can make her look like that. But I can't say anything for the RPG But I doubt she was black there either.

As for Baxter, everything has been said. And He won't turn into a fly, but... Read the spoilers yourself if you want.

I dug out the old RPG book, and she does *LOOK* black, but I do believe that's about it. And like I said, i can admit when Im wrong, so you must be right ^^

[Karpo_007]

Well Like I said, I haven't read the RPG books, but it would be weird if she whould be black in them...